Irishchatter I have never ever seen Johnny Depp perform magic tricks like that before, he is so amazing! I mean, I had known him since he was Captain Jack Sparrow but this film really made me realise he has other talents too! I even liked his style as a gentleman like figure in which I suppose, that's why the fan girls are still drooling over him today. For me, I just admire him only for his acting haha!Mary Stuart Masterson really did well on acting as John. She probably began to have lots of headaches and migraines for all that screaming & shouting she had to do for the character. I was very annoyed at Ben for kicking Sam out just because Sam admitted their love. What kind of person would kick someone out like that? It's just so ridiculously stupid how people react badly to their loved ones!Good film, very funny too!

Victoria Fisher I hadn't seen any Jeremiah S. Chechik's job before, but this one is more than good. I gave 9,because some movie's moments were a little bit too long. First seconds of the movie told me that movie will be very interesting and good. That soundtrack was used perfectly, it fixed my mood immediately, because it's very feel-good and fun. Johnny Depp performed excellent - as always. His character was super weird, but cute and lovely too. Sam and I have something in common. I envisaged a parallel between us. We both love old movies. Person (me too) is always satisfied when he see something in common between characters and himself. Sam I liked the most not even because I like Johnny Depp, but because he's the most dramatic personality in all movie and he acts very natural. Super. Actually, I have never seen something like this movie - I mean story and plot. A masterpiece which should be know all people who love watching very good movies. I recommend.

ComedyFan2010 Benny and Joon are two siblings. She has a mental problem and he takes care of her. One day through a game of poker they get an addition to their household, an extraordinary personality Buster Keaton imitating Sam.The movie gets scores from me for being more extraordinary than movies usually are, but I can't say that I loved it...For once, people seem to love Johnny Depp as Sam. I must be one of a few but he seemed very irritating to me. Johnny with his eyes bugging out and half open mouth was annoying me way too much. I actually think he was the worst part in the movie.Another thing is that it is not funny. Really, not at all. I maybe laughed once or twice watching it, so when people say it is hilarious I really don't know what they mean.And finally, they failed in the mental issue department. Mental illnesses are all different. and having one doesn't mean one is dysfunctional and incapable to have a relationship, this is what the movie tries to show us and it is a great message. But the thing is with Joon I have trouble noticing that she is one of those who can live without their brother or doctor looking after them. Her normal moments are shown but more than that she seems always to have her issues and those are not small things but setting things on fire and having a huge meltdown that Sam is incapable to control. So to me he seemed like a creep taking advantage of a vulnerable person more than anything.

itamarscomix At the heart of 'Benny & Joon' is the story of Joon, a mentally ill young woman, and her older brother Benny, who takes constant care of her and, while complaining about how much that complicates his life, actually uses the obligation as an excuse for the fact that his own life is going nowhere. It's a story that's simple, realistic and painfully honest. It could have made for a touching little drama if only Chechik made a clean decision that that's what the film is about.Unfortunately, 'Benny & Joon's biggest asset is also its undoing, and that is the wonderful and charismatic performance of young Johnny Depp. Depp enters the scene almost halfway through as Joon's love interest, the mentally unbalanced but extremely charming Sam who chooses to model his personality (or lack thereof) on silent comedy stars Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. Sam swoops Joon off her feet and disrupts the delicate balance of the siblings' relationship, which forces Benny to face up and decide whether he can let Joon go or not. Depp is terrific in his role; in one extended scene where he showcases his slapstick abilities he proves just how much of a screen personality he was and why he became one of the most bankable movie stars of the 90's. The problem is that he's so charismatic that he can easily fool the audience (and often does) that Sam is a romantic hero rather than a disruptive, chaotic presence; that this is the love story of Joon and Sam, rather than the story of Benny and his coming to terms with his own life decisions. What's worse, Depp's charisma emphasizes just how pale and unimpressive Aidan Quinn is in the role that should have been the lead.It's not a bad film; it's a pretty and touching little drama, wonderfully scripted. On the other hand, Depp's scenes are a pleasure to behold. But the contrast between the two is what ultimately makes it a failure. It doesn't help that Chechik can't quite make up his mind about how seriously he's taking Joon's mental illness, which is played for laughs a bit too often.